Kearney, Neb. – Eight different players registered a kill and third-ranked Nebraska-Kearney served up seven aces to sweep the University of Saint Mary (-13, -15, -17) Wednesday night at the Health & Sports Center.
This was the Lopers (5-0) home opener while NAIA Spires, from Leavenworth, Kan., fall to 6-4 on the young season.
UNK trailed just three times all night as they hit .500 (14-2-24) in set one and then .421(19-3-38) in the second. For good measure, the Lopers added nine blocks at the net and dug up 54 balls.
“I liked the fact that we were able to play a lot of people. The thing about this year … you’re already hearing teams missing tournaments, we can’t play because we still have Covid issues. If you have to choose between not enough (players) and too much we’re going to take too much,” UNK head coach Rick Squiers said.
Redshirt junior right side Sami Mauch (North Platte H.S.) redshirt sophomore outside Cecilia Beahm (Hastings H.S.) and sophomore outside Emersen Cyza (Alliance) had eight kills apiece with true freshman outside Asha Regier (Newton, Kan.) at six. Beahm hit a team-best .471, Mauch had 14 digs and six aces with Cyza one of five Lopers with at least two blocks.
“We have depth at multiple positions, especially offensively. We have not been in that situation very often. As good as we were in 2019 … it was good offense and great defense,” said Squiers. “Now we feel like we can get to a point where maybe we can have a great offense.”
Early in the third set the Spires held a 6-3 lead but an unforced attack error put Mauch at the service line. By the time she was done it was 13-6 as she recorded five aces, including four in a row.
“I think after last spring Sami was at a point of “do I keep doing this?”. She needed another surgery and maybe it was time to walk away from the game or do I make one more serious run at it,” said Squiers. “She decided to make a really serious run at it and has trained extremely hard all fall and has gone after that position (right side) in every way. Back row, front row and that serve is really tough to handle.”
Finally for the Lopers, senior libero Lindsay Nottlemann (Lincoln Pius) had a match-high 24 digs with senior setter Madison Squiers (Kearney Catholic) at 24 assists, five digs, three blocks and four kills in seven swings (.571 pct).
USM was paced by junior right side Rylee Kenitzer (seven kills) and Gretna junior outside Jessica Malizzi (13 digs and three kills). UNK hosts the annual Rosella Meier Classic this weekend.
UNK Wins Home Opener
